Environmental Assessment for the San Clemente Island Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan February 2002 Environmental Assessment for the San Clemente Island Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan San Clemente Island, California February 2002 Abstract: This Environmental Assessment is to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) should be prepared on the policy strategies proposed in the final draft of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for San Clemente Island (Island), U.S. Naval Base Coronado, California (SCI). The footprint of the Plan is all the terrestrial lands and offshore rocks, and all in-water resources to 300 yards offshore. The purpose of this INRMP is to meet statutory requirements under the Sikes Act Improvement Act, Public Law 105-85, Div. B Title XXIX, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat 2017-2019, 2020-2022. The INRMP is designed to provide for the continuation of military activities while preserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural ecosystem and biodiversity of the Island. This EA describes the proposed action and an alternative to the proposed action. The Proposed Action is to implement the 2002 INRMP for SCI and provide a net benefit to the environment while still providing for the mission of the Armed Forces using the Island to accomplish military objectives. The No-Action Alternative assumes implementation of activities described in the 1986 Landscape Management Plan for Endangered Species Recovery at San Clemente Island (Gripp and Howard 1986), the Natural Resource Management Plan for Naval Air Station, North Island and Outlying Landing Field, Imperial Beach, San Diego County (Chambers Consultants and Planners 1982) which covered SCI, several U.S. Navy Instructions that cover SCI activities, and a range of terms and conditions from a total of eighteen reasonable and prudent measures described in seven Biological Opinions (BOs) issued with regard to federally listed species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (1978 Amendments), (PL 95-632; 16 USC §§ 1531 et seq.). This INRMP will serve as a planning tool for Commander, Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW). As opportunities become available to seek funding for environmental projects or as mitigation for future activities, this Plan will serve as a priority list to better enable the Natural Resources Department to practice effective ecosystem management. This Plan is not meant as a definitive list of projects that will be automatically funded upon enactment. It provides guidance to the resource managers on strategies to employ for the next five years. The Navy will implement recommendations in the INRMP within the framework of regulatory compliance, national Navy mission obligations, anti-terrorism and force protection limitations, and funding constraints. Any requirement for the obligation of funds for projects in this INRMP shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by Congress, and none of the proposed projects shall be interpreted to require obligation or payment of funds in violation of any applicable federal law, including the Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 341, et seq. For further information, contact: Mr. Jan Larson, Director, Natural Resources U.S. Department of the Navy Commander Navy Region Southwest 937 No. Harbor Dr. San Diego, CA 92132-0058 Prepared for: Commander, Navy Region Southwest, Natural Resources Office. Prepared under contract to: Southwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 1220 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, California, Contract #N68711-99-D-6619/0021. Points of Contact: Tamara Conkle, Commander Navy Region Southwest; Danielle Flynn or Kimberly O’Connor (Natural Resources) and Christine Tuttle (Planning), Southwest Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Prepared by: Tierra Data Inc., 10110 W. Lilac Road, Escondido, CA 92026 Points of Contact: Elizabeth M. Kellogg and Cory Davis. Environmental Assessment February 2002 San Clemente Island TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose and Need............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Military Mission............................................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1-4 2.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE..................................................... 2-3 2.1 Proposed Action-Implement the 2002 INRMP.................................................................... 2-3 2.1.1 INRMP Overview/Ecosystem Management .............................................................. 2-3 2.1.1.I INRMP Development and Implementation ................................................. 2-3 2.1.1.2 Vegetation Communities............................................................................ 2-4 2.2 No-Action Alternative-Continue Existing Management Strategies.............................. 2-8 3.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................. 3-1 3.1 Physical/Natural Environment ........................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 Geology/Topography/Soils ................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.2 Hydrology and Water Quality ............................................................................... 3-3 3.1.3 Air Quality........................................................................................................... 3-5 3.1.4 Biological Resources............................................................................................ 3-7 3.1.4.1 Vegetation Communities............................................................................ 3-7 3.1.4.2 Sensitive Plant and Animal Populations ...................................................... 3-9 3.2 Man-Made Environment ................................................................................................. 3-20 3.2.1 Land Use........................................................................................................... 3-20 3.2.2 Traffic and Circulation........................................................................................ 3-24 3.2.3 Noise................................................................................................................. 3-24 3.2.4 Aesthetics.......................................................................................................... 3-25 3.2.5 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................. 3-25 3.2.6 Public Facilities/Access/Recreation ..................................................................... 3-25 3.2.7 Safety and Environmental Health ........................................................................ 3-25 3.2.8 Utilities.............................................................................................................. 3-28 3.2.9 Socioeconomics ................................................................................................. 3-28 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVE...... 4-1 4.1 Physical/Natural Environment ........................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Geology/Topography/Soils ................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.2 Hydrology and Water Quality ............................................................................... 4-2 4.1.3 Air Quality........................................................................................................... 4-4 4.1.4 Biological Resources............................................................................................ 4-7 4.1.4.1 Vegetation Communities............................................................................ 4-7 4.1.4.2 Sensitive Plant and Wildlife Populations ..................................................... 4-8 4.2 Man-Made Environment ................................................................................................. 4-13 4.2.1 Land Use........................................................................................................... 4-13 4.2.2 Transportation and Circulation ............................................................................ 4-13 4.2.3 Noise................................................................................................................. 4-14 Table of Contents 4.2.4 Aesthetics.......................................................................................................... 4-14 4.2.5 Cultural Resources ............................................................................................. 4-14 4.2.6 Public Facilities/Access/Recreation ..................................................................... 4-15 4.2.7 Safety and Environmental Health ........................................................................ 4-15 4.2.8 Utilities.............................................................................................................. 4-16 4.2.9 Socioeconomics ................................................................................................